Industrial Revolution Flashcards

Introduction to the Industrial Revolution

• Transition from manual to machine production.
• Impact on social, political, and economic structures worldwide.
• Focus on reasons for the Industrial Revolution's beginning in Great Britain.

Key Reasons for the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain

1. Agricultural Revolution:

   • Increased food supply led to lower food costs.
   • More disposable income to purchase manufactured goods.

2. Abundance of Capital:

   • Wealthy entrepreneurs from the cottage industry provided funds for new manufacturing methods.
   • Central bank facilitated loans for those without start-up capital.

3. Entrepreneurial Spirit:

   • Rejection of absolutism fostered a favorable environment for innovation.
   • Driven mainly by private investors due to this political climate.

4. Favorable Government Policies:

   • Parliament enacted laws benefiting entrepreneurship.
   • The 1832 reforms increased power in the House of Commons, representing working-class interests.
   • Repeal of the Corn Laws allowed the importation of cheap grain, encouraging urban migration for factory work.

5. Rich Mineral Resources:

   • Abundant reserves of coal and iron ore critical for industry.
   • Efficient transportation of these materials due to an improving infrastructure of roads and canals.

6. Access to Markets:

   • A vast British Empire provided numerous markets for manufactured goods.
   • Imperialism allowed for the sale of product surplus to colonies around the world.

7. Incentives for Innovation:

   • Recognition and awards for inventors and new technologies spurred development.
   • Notable inventions:
     • Spinning Jenny (James Hargreaves, 1764): Increased textile production speed.
     • Steam Engine (James Watt, 1769): Powered machines using coal and steam.

Great Exhibition of 1851

• A showcase for Britain's industrial accomplishments held in the Crystal Palace.
• Symbolized mastery over nature and industrial capability.

Spread of Industrialization to Europe

France

• Industrialization began post-1815 but was slower due to:
  • Lack of coal and iron deposits.
  • Napoleon's contributions laid groundwork but posthumous effects limited growth.
  • Key infrastructure: Quentin Canal for coal transport and government-sponsored railroads.
• French weaving technology assisted in developing cotton and silk industries.

Southern and Eastern Europe

• Challenges include:
  • Insufficient mineral resources in regions like Portugal, Spain, and Italy.
  • Old economic systems rooted in landed nobility stifling industrial change.
  • The persistence of serfdom and lack of land ownership among the poor in Russia and Habsburg regions.

Consequences of Non-Industrialization

• Regions with outdated agricultural practices faced famines, exemplified by the Irish Potato Famine (1840s-50s).
• Millions died from starvation or emigrated to places like the United States due to agricultural failure.

Conclusion

• The ability to industrialize has significant implications for a nation's development.